Electric control circuit



Nov. 26, 1946. E. E. MOYER ELECTRIC CONTROL CIRCUIT Original Filed Oct. 29, 1941 ELSE $55k g Inventor- Elmo E; Meyer, )3};

His Attorne g.

Patented Nov. 26, 1946 ELECTRIC CGNTROL CIRCUIT Elmo E. Moyer, Scotia, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation oi New York Original application October 29, 194i, Serial No. 416.3%. Divided and this appiicaticn February 25, 1343, Serial No. d'i'l,il3l

by the use of electric valve translating apparatus This application is a division of my application sr, No. 416,974., filed October 29, 1941, entitled Electric control circuit, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

In control systems employing electric valve translating apparatus for efiecting variable energization of a load circuit and particularly in systerns where the load circuit comprises a motor which is to be maintained in some definite operative relation with respect to another motor, it is desirable to insure that the output of the electric valve apparatus is returned to a predetermined value each time the system is deenergized so that the initial energization of the load circuit is always the same. In systems of this character employed for controlling the energization of one of a plurality of motors to maintain the motors in definite speed relation by mean of synchronous motion transmitting devices driven by the motors and operating to control the position of a movable element for varying the output of the electric valve means, it has been found that if the movable element is positively driven in accordance with the relative positions of the movable elements of the motion transmitting devices, uneven.

operation of the regulating system results if the speed relation of the motors continues to depart from the desired relation after the movableelement of the valve controlling means has reached the limit of its movement. In order to overcome this dimculty I provide a connection between the motion transmitting devices and the movable element of the tube controlling means which permits the motion transmitting devices to remain in synchronism after the movable element of the control device has reached the limit of its travel. In this way a continued temporary departure of the desired relation between the movable elements and the motor after the movable element of the tube controlling means has reached the limit of its travel permits the motion transmitting devices to remain in synchronlsm and as soon as the speed relation approaches that desired and the. motion transmitting devices tend to rotate the movable element of the controlling means in the opposite direction the control is picked up smoothly as contrasted with the sudden changes which occur if the motion transmitting devices temporarily lose synchronism with the rotating elements of the motors which are controlled.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric control circuit.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric control circuit for an electric valve translating apparatus for efiect= ing variabl energization of a load circuit which provides for a predetermined initial energizatlon of the load.

It i still another object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric control system I employing self-synchronous type motion transmitting devices which insures smooth regulating action under all operating conditions.

Briefly stated, in the illustrated embodiment of my invention I provide a controlled electric valve system for variably energizing the armature winding of an electric motor to maintain a predetermined speed relatlon between the motor and another motor which is not energized through the electric valve means. The control of the electric valve means to effect the desired variable energlzation i accomplished by means of motion transmitting devices including a differential motion transmitting device which is operatively connected with the rotor of a phase shifting device for controlling the excitation of the electric valve means. The connection between the rotor of the differential signal device and the rotor of the phase shifting device is accomplished by means of a torque clutch which permits synchronous movement of the differential device after the rotor of the phase shifting device has reached the limit of it movement. This provides for smooth functioning of the control at the time the desired speed relation is again attained and operating of the movable element of the phase shift ing device within its effective range is resumed. In order to insure that the initial output of the electric valve apparatus i always the same upon energization of the anode-cathode circuit thereof, 1 provide means for automatically returning the rotor of thc phase'shiiting device to a predetermined position upon deenergization of the anodecathode circuit of the electric valve means and also provide means for preventing energization of the anode-cathode circuit until the rotor has been returned to the predetermined position. In order to improve the smoothness of action of the control system still further I provide an improved anti-hunting circuit including a resistor-capacitor combination responsive to voltages of the load circuit for modifying the excitation voltages ap plied to the electric valves. the anti-hunting circuit includes a pair'of parallel resistors each of which i provided with a variable tap for vary manual switch 29.

ing the magnitude thereof so-that it is possible to adjust independently the time constant ofthe condenser circuit and the magnitude of the resistance included in the control circuit.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims- In the drawing, the single figure is a schematic representation of one embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, I have shown my invention embodied in a controlled electric valve system for variably energzing the armature windings of a direct current motor 90 to maintain a predetermined speed relation between the motor Ill and another direct current motor i I which has the armature l2 thereof energized from a direct current supply 13 through a suitabl motor starting and control circuit (not shown). The direct current motor ID has the terminals of the armature Id thereof connected in the direct current circuit of an electric valve rectifier illustrated generally by numeral H5. The motors l and ii each include a field winding l energized from a suitable source of direct current I1 through a variable resistance It.

As mentioned above the armature windin of. I the motor to is energized from the direct current circuit of an electric valve rectifier it. As illustrated in the drawing the rectifier is a threephase half-wave system comprising three electric valves I9, and 2i each preferably of the type comprising a container enclosing an ionizabie medium, such as a gas or vapor, and within which are mounted an anode 22, a cathode 23 and associated heater element 2 3, a control member or grid 25 and a shield grid 26. The particular type of valve illustrated is not essential to the present invention and any of the well known types of controlled electric valves may be employed, if desired. The anodeecathode circuits of the electric va es a e ergized from a three-phase alternating current supply circuit 2? which energizes an alternating current bus 28 under the control of a The anodes of the electric valves I 9, 20 and 2! are connected to the end terminals of a Y-connected secondary winding 3d of an anode transformer 3i having a delta-connected primary winding 32 connected to the alternating current bus 28. The direct current circuit of the rectifier i completed from the neutral connection 33 of the secondary winding to one armature terminal of motor Ill and from the other armature terminal of the motor to the cathode bus 34 of the electric valves i9, 20 and 26. As is well understood by those skilled in the art the three-phase rectifier circuit described above is effective to supply direct current to the armature of the motor In at a voltage dependent upon the energization of the control members or grids 25 of the electric valves.

with the voltages of the phase terminals of the three phase stator winding 35 of a phase shifting device 36 having a three-phase rotor winding 31. The phase shifting device 38 is of a'type well known in the art and is similar in mechanical construction to a three-phase wound rotor induction motor. The circuit between the three phase terminals of the stator winding 35 and the respective control members 25 of valves I 20 and 2| is completed through current limiting resistors 38. The 'neutral terminal of the stator winding '35 is connected to the cathode bus 36 of the valves I9, 28 and 2! through a portion of a resistor 39 determined by the positionof the slider 40. Resistor 39 and a parallel connected resistor 4| form part of an anti-hunting circuit which is operative to introduce by means of the 7 portion of resistor 39 included in the circuit of The control circuit for energizing the control lay of the cable. The conductivities of the electric valves lQ-Zl are controlled in accordance the control members 25 a voltage dependent upon changes in voltage across the terminals of armature id of the machine it. The anti-hunting circuit includes a resistor 62 and capacitor 63 connected in series across the terminals of the armature It and a capacitor it connected between the common point of resistor 52 and eapacitor t3 and the terminal of parallel resistors 39 and Eli remote from the cathode bus 34!. The condenser M for a given voltage of the armature it is charged to a predetermined value. Changes in the armature voltage result in a change in the charge of the capacitor M and the charging current flowing through resistor 39 introduces a direct current bias voltage in the circuit of control members 25 which afiects the conductivity of the valves in a direction to opp se the change in armature voltage. The magnitude of the bias voltage for a given current fiow through resistor 39 is controlled by the position of the slider all while the position of a short circuiting slider on resistor 4| determines the total resistance of the parallel resistance combination 39 and ll to determine the time constant of the discharge circult of the anti-hunting capacitor it. Capacitor 43 cooperating with resistor 42 operates as filter to remove a portion of the ripple from the voltage of the anti-hunting circuit. Capacitors 511 are connected between the respectivecontrol members 26 of electric valves 19, 2D and 2i and the cathode bus 34 and serve to minimize transient voltages on the control members and improve the controlling action thereof.

As previously mentioned, the motor i0 is variably energized to operate at a speed dependent upon the speed of the motor [I i. The arrangemerit for controlling the position of the rotor 37! of phase shifting device 36 to accomplish this speed relation between motors in and M will now be described. A source of alternating current control voltage is derived from the alternating current bus 28 by means of a control transformer 66 having a primary network t? comprising three phase windings provided with taps which may be adjusted to provide the desired magnitude of control voltage. The secondary network 48 provides a source of energizing voltage for the rotor Winding 31 of the phase shifting device 3%. The transformer is also provided with secondary windings t9 and 5d. Winding 69 provides a source of energy for heating the cathode heaters 241 of electric valves 89, 20 and El and the secondary d6 provides a source of voltage for energizing the rotor windings 5i and 5'2 of angular motion transmitting devices 53 and 56 respectively. The devices 53 and 5 3 are provided with three phase Y-connected stator windings 55 and a as respectively with the phase terminals of stator winding 55 connected with the phase terminals of the three phase rotor winding 5.! of a differential motion transmitting device 58 while phase terminals of the winding 56 are connected with l ,the phase terminals of the polyphase stator winding 59 of the differential motion transmittingdevice 58. Capacitors 60 are connecte'dacross the stator terminals of the differential device and are of such a rating that they take a. leading excitation current equal to the lagging excitation current required by the differential device with the result that the exciting current which must be supplied to the differential by the device 53 for example, is equal only to the power component of the current which is in general only a small portion of the total excitation current.

As illustrated in the drawing, the rotor winding SI of device 53 is coupled to the shaft of motor ill by means of suitable gearing designated by the numeral 6!, and the rotor 52 of device 5| is mechanically coupled to the shaft of motor I I by suitable gearing. 62. This gearing is arranged so 7 that the speed of rotation of windings ii and 52 are equal when the desired speed relation between the motor ill and the motor It exists. As is well understood the Selsyn system including devices 53, 5B and 58 operate to produce a torque on the rotor 5? dependent on the displacement between windings 5i and 52. For example, if windings 5i and 52 are in equilibrium position no torque is produced on winding 51. However, a change in speed of one of the motors from the desired speed with respect to the other motor causes a relative displacement of the windings 5i and 52 and torque is produced on winding 5i dependent on the magnitude and direction of the relative displacement of the windings 5i and 52. As illustrated in the drawing, the rotor winding 57 is mechanically coupled by means of a shaft 63 to a torque clutch illustrated schematically at 64 which has the output shaft 65 thereof connected with the rotor of the phase shifting selsyn 36. The torque coupling provides what under normal operation is a positive drive of the rotor of the phase shifting device 36 but which permits continued rotation of the differential Selsyn after the phase shifting rotor has reached the limit ofits travel. This arrangement allows the differential Selysn to continue to rotate in the differential selsyn to continue to rotate in the event that the departure from the desired speed relationship between machines Ill and H is not immediately corrected by control of the electric valves I9 to 2| before the winding 31 reaches one of its extreme positions.

With the motor control system illustrated it is desired that the electric valves 19, 20 and 2| have their anode-cathode circuits energized and that the control circuit therefor be adjusted so that the output voltage is insuflicientto rotate the reel motor l0 until after the motor I! has been started. Preferably the minimum output of the valves is su'filcient to produce considerable torque in the reel but insuflicient to rotate it. To this end means are provided for insuring that the rotor 3101 the phase shifting device 36 is returned to the position of minimum output of the electric valves when the anode-cathode circuits of the electric valves are deenergized and for preventing the energization of the anode-cathode circuits until the rotor has been returned to the position corresponding to minimum output voltage of the electric valve rectifier. Referring again to the drawing, the anode circuit of the valves I9, 20 and 2| are controlled by the movable contacts 66 of an anode contactor 61 having an operating electromagnet 68 including an operating coil 69. The coil 68 is connected to be energized from one phase of the transformer secondary network 8 through a manually controlled switch 10 and a pair of spacedfixed contacts H which are bridged bya conducting member 12 when the phase shifting device is in the position of minimum output of the electric valves. The cooperating contacts H and 12 also provide a mechanical 'stop for the rotor of the phase shifting circuit. A mechanical stop 13 is provided to limit the movement of the rotor winding 37 in the opposite direction. It is apparent that these stops may be adjusted in angular position to determine the minimum and maximum output of the electric valve means. A variable contact 14 actuated by the relay 68 completes a circuit in parallel with the contacts H to provide a holding circuit for the coil 68 after it has moved .the contacts 65 to closed position.

The rotor 31 of the phase shifting device 38 has an inherent tendency to rotate in a direction to reduce the output of the electric valve i9, 20 and ii. In order to utilize this tendency to restore the phase shifting device to the position of minimum output when the anode-cathode circuits of electric valves are deenergized, I provide means for loading electrically the stator winding with impedance elements such as resistor 15 in response to opening movement of the contacts 66.

As illustrated in the drawing, this is accomplished by means of a switching device it having movable contacts Tl for connecting one of the resistance elements 15 in circuit between each pair of terminals of the stator winding 35 of the de-.- vice 36. "The device 76 is provided with an actuating coil ll'a connected to be energized from one phase of the control power supply transformer secondary 45 through a circuit including a movable contact 18 on the anode contactor 61. From an inspection of the circuit of coil 11 it is seen that it is electrically connected with the transformer secondary winding 48 whenever the anode contacts 88 are closed. in this way the resistors 15 are automatically disconnected from the stator winding of the phase shifting device 36 when the anode leads of the electric valves i9, 20 and 2| are closed by closure of contacts 66. When the rotor 31 of the device 86 is energized from the supply circuit 28 this loading of the stator increases the torque tending to rotate the phase shifting device to the position or minimum out against which the rotor is held.

Although the operatic n of the various elements of the system described above has been described during the description, it is believed that the features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from a brief consideration of the operation of the system as a whole. Let it be assumed that switches 29 and '16 are open and that both motors lo and il are-at standstill. If it is desired to start the system, switch 28 is first closed energizing transformer 46 and the rotor winding of phase shifting device 36. The Selsyns 53 and 54 are also energized and the cathode heater elements of the electric valves l9, 2G and 21 are energized. The contacts H are normally closed and resistors 15 are thereby connected across the terminals of the stator windings 35 of the phase shifting device 38, thus increasing the acrea e torque produced on the rotor to insure that it is rotated to the position of minimum output and that movable conact I2 is closed on contact Ii.

After the cathode heater elements are at operating temperature, preferably insured by a time delay relay (not shown) having a contact in circuit with switch 7@, the switch ill is closed and coil 69 of relay 6% is energized from one phase of winding 58 through the contacts ll and'l2- of the limit switch associated with the phase shifting device 36. As soon as relay 68 picks up, contact 18 isclosed to complete a circuit for coil Ha to operate contacts ill to open circuit position and disconnect one terminal of each of the re- I motor i! which is brought up to operating speedby any suitable starting circuit (not shown). As motor it starts to rotate winding 52 will move with respect to winding 5! and in this way produce a torque on winding 57] which is transmitted to rotate the movable element of phase shifting device 36 in a direction to increase the output voltage of the electric valve rectifier and in this 1 way cause the reel motor iii tostart rotating.

The torque imparted to the winding 51 and its associated structure is always in a direction to rotate the movable element 31 in a direction to effect the change in the impressed voltage on the armature of motor Iii necessary to change its speed in the proper manner to bring the elements 5i and 52 into the correspondence and in this way to maintain the desired speed relation between motors l8 and H.

Inasmuch as movement of the rotor 37 of the phase shifting device 36 to one of its extreme positions may fail temporarily to restore the desired positional relation between the. movable elements of motors H3 and H, it is desirable to provide for relative movement between the winding El of the differential motion transmitting device 58 and the rotor 37. To this end th torque clutch 6d interposed between the winding 57 and the winding 37 permits relative movement of these windings when the torque required to rotate winding GI exceeds a certain value. The clutch is adjusted so that the windings 37 and 57 are maintained in fixed relation to each other as long as winding 37 i not against the stops provided by contacts H and 72 at one limit of travel and the mechanical stop l3 atthe other limit of travel. In this way the system including motion transmitting devices 53, 5d and 58 are allowed to remain in synchronous relation so that as the elements of the motors ill and I I approach the desired relationship and the phase shifting device 3? is to be moved away from its extreme position the devices 53, 5d and 58 are functioning smoothly and the winding ill is not operated 11nevenly as it would tend to if it were resynchronizing after having been out of step with the remainder of the motion transmitting system.

In order to prevent hunting of the regulating system the circuit including resistor d2, capacitor M and parallel resistors 39 and d! are connected across the armature terminals of the m0- tor ill. The capacitor ti t tends to have a charge dependent upon the voltage of motor it. Any change in this voltage produces a change in the condenser charge at a rate dependent upon the time constant of the condenser resistor circuit. The resistor 39 is connected in the circuit of the control members 25 so that the polarity of the voltage caused by a change in the condenser charge is in a direction to'oppose the change in voltage of the armature machine i0 causing the change in the condenser charge. In this way overshooting of the system is prevented and a smooth regulating action obtained. The slider 65 controls the magnitude of resistance in circuit with condenser Lid and in this way controls the time constant of the condenser circuit. The slider d0 controls the portion of resistor- 39 in the control circuit and in this way controls the magnitude of the anti-hunting voltage for a given current through resistance element 39. Condenser d3 cooperates with resistor 32 to provide a filter to remove some of the ripple from the antihunting voltage. The tendency of the regulating system to hunt may also be decreased by the introduction of-reduction gearing between the rotor 57 and rotor 31 of the phase shifting device. The gearing may be incorporated in the clutch unit 6d if desired.

When it is desired to shut down the motors, motor H is first deenergized and brought to a standstill by dynamic braking if desired and with the control circuit for motor iii functioning in this way the motor ill follows motor it to standstill at which time switch W is opened. Upon opening of the control switch Ill coil 89 of the anode contactor operatin relay 68 is opened to deenergize the anode-cathode circuits of the electric valves i9, 20 and 2i. Contact 18 is also opened to deenergize the winding Ila of the relay It thus allowing contact II to close and connect resistors 75 across the stator winding 35 of the phase shifting device 36. As described above this insures that the winding 37 is returned to the position of minimum output against the stops provided by contacts H and 72 and places the ystem in position to be again operated. If the shutdown is for a long period the contact 29 may be opened and the system completely deenergized.

While I have described what I at present consider the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to. those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I. therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, a supply circuit, a load circuit, electric translating apparatus interconnecting said circuits including electric valve means having a control member for controlling the conductivity thereof, phase shifting means including a movable element for variably energizing said control member to thereby variably energize said load circuit, means for stopping said movable element at a predetermined limit of travel, means forimparting a driving force to said movable element ,dependent upon the energization of said load circuit, and a mechanical connection between said last mentioned means and the movable element of said phase shifting means normally providing a positive driving connection therebetween but permitting said last mentioned means to continue movement in the same direction required to move said movable element to said limit of travel after the movable element of.

said phase shifting device has been stopped at the limit of its travel valve means having acontrol electrode, phase.

shifting means including a movable element for controlling the conductivity of said electric valve means, a self-synchronous motion transmitting system for producing a torque dependent upon the operation of said dy amo-electric machine, and a torque clutch interposed between a movable element of said motion transmitting system and the movable element of said phase shifting device to permit said movable element of said motion transmitting system to remain in synchronism after the movable element of said phase shifting device reaches the limit-of its travel.

3. A supply circuit, a dynamo-electric machine, electric translating apparatus interconnecting said circuit and said machine including electric valve means havinga control electrode, phase shifting means for controlling the conductivity of said electric valve means includin a movable element movable between predetermined limits to vary the conductivity of said electric valve means between a maximum and a minimum, a selfsynchronous motion transmitting system for producing a torque dependent upon the operation of said dynamo-electric machine, mechanical means interconnecting the movable element of said motion transmitting system and the movable element of said phase shifting means, said mechanical connection normally providing a positive drive but permitting relative movement between the movable element of said .phase shifting means and the movable element of said motion transmitting system when thegnovable element of said phase shifting means reaches a limit of its travel.

4. A supply circuit; a dynamo-electric machine, electric translating apparatus interconnecting said circuit and said machine including electric valve means having a control electrode, a control circuit for controlling the energization of said control electrode including a phase shifting device having a rotatable element, means for positioning said movable element in accordance With the operation of the dynamo-electric machine comprising a self-synchronous motion transmit-- ting system including a differential motion transmitting device having a movable element, mechanical means interconnecting the movable element of said motion transmitting system and the rotatable element of said phaseshiftin device comprising means for normally driving the rotatable element of said phase shifting device in fixed relation to the movable element of said motion transmitting system, said last mentioned means providing for relative movement of said rotatable member and said movable member when the torque required to rotate said rotatable element exceeds a predetermined value to permit the movable element of said motion transmitting system to remain in synchronism.

ELMO E. MOYER. 

